Chinese New Year is just around the corner, falling on 29th January 2025, and this year marks the Year of the Snake. To celebrate, we’ve carefully ssssselected some fantastic books (don’t worry, that’s the only snake pun we’ll make!) themed around both Chinese New Year and snakes. Before diving into our recommendations, let’s explore the significance of Chinese New Year and what it means to be in the Year of the Snake.
What Is Chinese New Year?
Much like New Year’s Day celebrations, Chinese New Year marks the start of a new year. However, it follows the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar we typically use. Chinese New Year falls on the first new moon between 21st January and 20th February, making the date change every year.
This holiday is deeply significant in Chinese culture and is also known as the Spring Festival. Celebrations often include grand festivals, family reunions, and iconic traditions like hanging paper lanterns. These lanterns are sometimes used as decorations or released into the sky with a flame inside, symbolising hope and guidance for the year ahead.
What Does the Year of the Snake Symbolise?
The Chinese zodiac operates on a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal. The Year of the Snake follows the Dragon and precedes the Horse, with the full zodiac cycle including Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
In Chinese and East Asian mythology, snakes hold a complex symbolism. They are often seen as intelligent, wise, and intuitive yet can also be associated with mystery and unpredictability. Some stories even link snakes to transformation and renewal, as they shed their skins and emerge anew. People born in the Year of the Snake are often thought to be charming, enigmatic, and resourceful—a fascinating mix of traits to explore with your pupils!
Explore £2.99 Books and Free Classroom Resources
To celebrate Chinese New Year and the Year of the Snake, we’re offering some of our best BookLife Publishing titles for just £2.99 each:
- Chinese New Year (Lilac band): A beautifully illustrated picture book perfect for Early Years.
- Snake (Life Cycles): A Key Stage 1 resource explaining the life cycle of a snake in a simple yet engaging way.
- Chinese New Year (Festivals Around the World): A cultural deep dive into the traditions and celebrations of Chinese New Year, ideal for Key Stage 1.
- My Pet Snake: A Key Stage 2 guide to caring for pet snakes, combining fun and learning.
We also have free themed classroom posters and activities, perfect for enhancing your Chinese New Year lessons! Simply add them to your cart, complete the checkout process, and download your resources to print as many copies as you need.
